Support People Home

Welcome to the Housing Support Gateway

The Bath and North East Somerset Housing Support Gateway provides a single point where you can apply for a wide range of support services to help you live independently,remain in your own home or avoid homelessness.

If you just need help to find somewhere to live please contact the Housing Team on 01225 396296

You normally need to have a local connection to Bath and North East Somerset to be able to receive Gateway services

Support for young people and the prevention of homelessness

Not all young people who present to the Gateway are in need of rehousing. They can present in the moment of crisis after a heated argument and in many instances, present just for information, advice and guidance. Young people and their families will normally be offered Mediation in the first instance with the aim of resolving their difficulties, so that the young person can remain at home or with other family members or friends and avoid homelessness.

New Gateway Services

The following services are now accepting referrals via the Housing Support Gateway

Platform for life is an exciting housing project that specifically works with 18-24 year olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness or are ready to move on to greater independence from supported housing.

It is especially designed for young people who are:

working

training

studying

It offers accommodation for up to two years in a safe, friendly and supportive shared housing environment. Accommodation is provided in a shared house with 3 or 4 housemates. Every young person has a room of their own and will share communal spaces with their housemates. The houses are in a variety of locations in Bath and North East Somerset. Our aim is to provide a positive environment from which young people can engage with work, training or education and to progress on towards full independence. Our designated PFL Support worker, Kat, is available to support all young people on the scheme. The YMCA believes that every young person should have a safe place to stay and this project is one way in which YMCA Bath Group are helping to make a difference. Contact the YMCA Housing Team any time between 9am – 5pm Mon – Friday on 01225 325900 or email housing@bathymca.co.uk

The Extended Homefinders Scheme has been added to the Gateway. If you are ready to move on into your own accommodation from supported housing in B&NES, you may be eligible for assistance to access the private rented sector. Speak to your support worker for further information

Please note the waiting lists for The Haven (low to medium support for single women) and The Paragon (low to medium support for men and women), are currently full and new referrals cannot be assessed at the moment.

Supported Housing is any service where housing and support are provided by the landlord or organisation. The support is offered at a specific property like a sheltered housing scheme or supported housing scheme.

Housing and support is given to people with a wide range of support needs. Support staff will help you to learn how to live independently and support you to move on into your own housing.

Floating support is a service which follows you and can be delivered wherever you live in Bath and North East Somerset. Once you no longer need support the service can be offered to someone else.

Floating support providers give support in housing matters to people with a support need who want help to settle in and manage their lives whether they live in private rented housing, social housing, or own their own homes.

All the services help you to be independent and improve your quality of life.

The Bath and North East Somerset Gateway is a place where you can access a wide range of support services to do with housing if you live in the Bath and North East Somerset area.

You may be homeless or at risk of homelessness

Or need some short term support to resettle or live independently.

Priority will be given to vulnerable people and those in crisis.

If you are not local to Bath and North East Somerset, you may be able to get assistance to 'reconnect' with your local area. Contact Housing Advice for further information.

To apply you can complete the online self assessment form above. If you have difficulty with this you can contact one of the support providers who will help you.

What kind of help could I get?

Housing related support services are offered to vulnerable people living in Bath and North East Somerset who are homeless or finding it difficult to cope with living at home. Most services are for up to 2 years and free. But if you need support for longer it may be possible to arrange this. There is a charge for these services but you can get help if you are on a low income and/or means tested benefits.

The support offered includes:

Setting up and keeping a home and/or tenancy

Managing finances, debt advice and applying for benefits

Gaining access to other services

Establishing social contacts and activities

Supervising and monitoring of health, wellbeing and medication

Practical support and advice managing a home including repairs, adaptions and improvements

How do I apply?

To apply for either supported housing or floating support you can complete an on-line self-assessment form. If you need help with this, contact Reach who will help you.

The online form is 5 pages long. Please ensure that you complete each page and click 'next section' within 30 mins otherwise your application will 'time out' and you will need to start again.

Please make sure that you tell us your correct contact details, including a phone number where you can be contacted. If you move to a different address, change your phone number or if your circumstances change, inform one of the support providers who will arrange for your application to be updated

The information you provide will be held on a secure computer database and may be shared with support providers, local authorities, the Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate and other Government Departments and agencies under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998. By completing the form, you agree to this.

What happens next?

Once you have submitted your on-line self assessment form service providers will be able to see that you are waiting for a service. You will normally be contacted by the service within 4 weeks of applying. They will arrange to carry out a full individual support needs and risk assessment which will include following up references. Please note that the services can often be very busy and you may have to wait some time before you are offered a service. At the moment there is a long wait for accommodation based services for young people under the age of 18.

If you are offered a service you will be expected to work with your key worker who will support you to set and achieve your goals.